Toggle mechanism and switch incorporating same



Oct. 16, 1951 A. R. SCHOLIN TOGGLE MECHANISM AND SWITCH INCORPORATINGSAME 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1948 A. R. SCHOLIN TOGGLE MECHANISMAND SWITCH INCORPORATING SAME 2 'SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1948Patented Oct. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Axel R. S'cholin,Chicago, 111.

Application February 18, 1948, Serial No. 9,085

1 Claim.

The present invention relates in general to an electric switch, and hasmore particular reference to a manually operable switch. means foropening and closing electrical circuits and for maintaining opened orclosed position, the invention in its broader aspects relating to animproved toggle-type mechanism particularly Well suited forincorporating in electrical switches.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtoggle mechanism whereby a movable element to be shifted in response toa movement of a manually operable member, may be cocked during initialmovement of the operating member, and thereby conditioned for snapaction movement when the operating member reaches a predeterminedelement trip-ping and throwing position; a further object being toprovide a toggle mechanism having the foregoing preliminary cocking andfinal element throwing action in either direction.

Another important object is to provide toggle mechanism of the charactermentioned which is particularly well suited for incorporation. inelectric switches, wherein the movable element may comprise the pole orpoles of an electric switch, and the operating member may comprise amanually operable switch actuating lever.

Another important object is to provide an improved toggle mechanismincluding a movable element and manually operable lever for shiftingsaid element, wherein the element and lever may be pivotallyinterconnected and assembled together with a cooking element and atoggle spring to form an assembly unit adapted for assembly as such inoperating position as on a switch mounting base providing support forthe assembly unit, and spaced apart switch contacts adapted to cooperatewith the movable element to form a make-and-break electric switch.

Another important object resides in providing an improved togglemechanism comprising a movable element and an operating lever,particularly suited for use in electric switches and including a cookingelement whereby the movable element and cooperating toggle switch Itoggle spring.

Another important object resides in providing toggle mechanism,particularly well suited for use in electric switches, including amovable element adapted to form a switch blade, wherein said element isof especially rugged construction, and adapted to afford extensivetrouble-free service; a further object being to provide said elementwith an inexpensive rib configuration forming shoulders facing indiverging directions, and affording seats for one end of a cooperatingtoggle spring; a still further object being to form the movable elementas a generally U-shaped sheetmetal stamping having arms formed forpivotal connections with a, cooperating, manually operable, levermember, with said member extending between the arms of themovableelement; yet another object being to provide a spring mounting andcocking element pivotally connected at one end on the operating leverand having a spring-carrying stem extending slidably in an openingformed in the medial portions of the movable element, whereby a springencircling said stem may be mounted in position bearing at its oppositeends on a seat at the pivoted end of the cooking element, and on atwo-way seat formed in the medial portions of the movable element.

Among the other numerous important objects of the invention is toprovide an exceedingly rugged toggle unit having a single mountingpivot, and hence adapted for assembly as a unit on a toggle mountingframe; to provide a dc: layed action toggle mechanism adapted toaccentuate the snap operation when the operating leveris actuated tothrow the toggle in either of its operating directions; to provide atoggle switch. structure that is relatively inexpensive yet of rugged,durable construction, and adapted for extensive, trouble-free servicelife.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects and. advantages ofthe invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understoodfrom the following description, which, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figs. l-6 inclusive are sectional views through a toggle switchstructure embodying the present invention; Fig. 1 showing the mechanismat rest after completing movement in one direction; Fig. 2 showing themechanism in cocked position ready for throwing movement in the oppositedirection; Fig. 3 showing the parts in position immediately afterthrowing action in said opposite direction; Fig. 4 showing the mechanismat rest after completing movement in said opposite direction; Fig.showing the mechanism in cocked position ready for throwing movement inthe return direction, toward the rest position in Fig. 1; and Fig. 6showing the parts in position immediately after throwing action in saidreturn direction;

Fig. 6a is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6a-6a inFig. 3;

Fig. '7 is an exploded assembly view showing in perspective the parts ofthe device illustrated in Figs. 145, including toggle mechanism formingan assembly unit;

Fig. 8 is an exploded view showing in perspective the parts of theassembly unit; and

Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12 are sectional views, respectively takensubstantially along the lines 9--9 and Ill-40 in Fig. 8, and linesII--II and I2-I2 in Fig. 4.

To illustrate the invention the drawings show a toggle switch |3comprising a mounting frame I4 providing support for stationary switchblades I5, and a toggle mechanism I6 embodying a movable element I1adapted to be shifted into and out of engagement with the elements l5,and a manually operable lever I8 for shifting the movable element.

The mounting frame I4 may have any suitable or preferred configuration.As shown, however, the mounting frame comprises a casing I9 formed witha cavity 20 opening at one side of the casing, said side beingpreferably provided with flanges 2| and 22. At one end of the casing,adjacent the open side of the cavity 20, the cavity communicates with apair of cavity extensions 23 formed in the casing and separated by aninterfitting stub partition 24.

While the casing I8 may comprise any suitable material, the samepreferably may be formed of a moldable material preferably comprising anelectric insulator.

The opposite side walls of the casing adjacent the flange 22 areprovided with notches 25 respectively communicating with the cavityextension 23 in position to receive intermediate portions 26 of metallicstrip members 21. These strips may generally comprise U-shaped elements,each having an arm 28 adapted to extend within the cavity to form theswitch contact elements I5 at th ends of said arms. Each element 21 mayalso comprise terminal plates 29 respectively adapted to extend at theopposite faces of the casing. These plates 29 are each formed with apair of perforations 38 and 3| adapted respectively to receive screwthreaded elements 32 and 33. The elements 32 and 33 are adapted toextend through said openings 38 and 3| and through openings 34 and 35formed in opposite side walls of the casing at the cavity extensions 23,and to threadedly engage in openings in clamp plates 33 in the cavityextensions 23. The stub partition 24 is adapted to extend between, andelectrically isolate the facing ends of the fastening elements 32 and 33mountin in the opposite side walls of the casing in coaxial alinement.One of the fastening screws of each element 21, such as the member 33,is adapted to electrically connect th corresponding element in anexternal electrical circuit.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the members 21 are anchored onthe housin with the blades I5 extending within the cavity 20, in spacedapart relation on the opposite sides of the cavity. The medial portions26 of the mem- 4 bars 21, when so mounted, may extend in the notches 25.

The toggle means I6 preferably forms an assembly unit comprising theoperating lever 8, the shiftable element I1, a toggle spring 36 and aspring mounting member 31.

The operating lever I8 preferably comprises an element molded orotherwise formed of suitable preferably non-conducting material providedwith a channel 38 adapted to receive a pivot pin 39 which may comprise arod of steel. The member I8 also preferably includes a projecting fingerportion extending radially of the channel on one side thereof, and saidmember also at the side of the opening 38 remote from the projectingfinger portion preferably provides a pair of spaced ears 40 formed withalined perforations 4| adapted to receive and support an anchor pin 42of steel or other suitable material, the alined axes of the openings 4|extending in spaced parallel relationship with respect to th axis of thepin channel 38.

The movable element I1 is preferably formed of metal and is shaped toprovide a pair of spaced arms 43 and a medial portion 44 interconnectedwith an between the arms 43 at one end of the element, the arms 43 beingprovided with coaxially alined openings 45 at the ends thereof remotefrom the medial portions 44. The arms 43 are spaced sufficiently toreceive the body of the actuating member I8 therebetween, and theopenings 45 are arranged for alinement with the pin channel 38 of themember I8; and said openings 45 are sized to snugly receiv the pin 39whereby said pin may serve to tiltably mount the elements I1 and I8 forrelative rocking movement on the pin 38.

The medial portion 44 of the element I1 is formed to provide an inwardlycurved rib 46, between the arms, said rib being formed with a slot 41extending in a plane at right angles with respect to the axis of theopenings 45.

The spring mounting member 31 preferably comprises a metal stampingforming a center finger 48 sized at one end for sliding engagement inthe slot 41, the opposite end of said spring mounting element beingformed with a perforation 49 sized to tiltably receive the pin 42. Theelement 31, accordingly, may b tiltably mounted on the member I8 inposition extending between the spaced ears 48 of said actuating memberI8. The member 31 also has a pair of lateral fingers 58 preferablyintegrally formed thereon at the end thereof containing the perforation49, said fingers extending outwardly of said center finger, on oppositesides thereof, and forming notches 5| for seatingly receiving one end ofthe spring 36 in said notches.

The sprin 36, accordingly, may be assembled in position encircling thefinger 48, with one end of the spring seated in the notches 5| and itsother end bearing upon the curved rib 46 of the element I1.

The assembly unit I8 thus may be assembled by first mounting the element31 on the member inserting the pin 38 through the alined opening 45 andthe channel 38 the parts may be anchored together as an assembly unit.The opposite ends of the pin 39, if desired, may be swaged to preventremoval thereof after the assembly operation has been completed; and thepin preferably is long enough so that its opposite ends projectoutwardly of the arms 43 of the element I! to form stub pivots wherebythe toggle unit may be pivotally supported in operating position.

The opposite walls of the casing l9 are preferably spaced apart so thatthe assembly unit may fit therebetween within the cavity and said wallsmay be formed with alined sockets 52 adapted to seatingly receive theopposite projecting ends of the pin 39. The assembly unit, accordingly,may be mounted in operating position in the casing l9 merely byinserting the same in the casing with the handle projection of theoperating member I8 extending outwardly of the open end of the cavity,and the shiftable element ll extending within the cavity in posi tion totilt on the pin 39, either into position extending between the spacedblades l5 as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, or into the relativeposition shown in Fig. 1.

To retain the assembly unit 16 in mounted position in the casing asuitable cover 56 comprising a plate adapted to extend across the openend of the cavity 20 may be provided. This plate may have a centeropening 51 through which the operating handle of the member It mayextend, and fastening screws 58, or other suitable fastening means maybe employed for detachably anchoring the cover on the casing. The cover,of course, may have opposite edge portions in position overriding thesockets 53 to retain the opposite ends of the pin 39 in anchoredposition on the casing.

The arms of the element I1 adjacent the medial portion 44 may be formedto provide outwardly facing contact surfaces 53 spaced apartsufilciently to extend between, engage and electrically interconnect thespaced blades l5 of the contact elements 2! to thereby complete anelectrical circuit between said elements.

It should be noticed that the walls of the casing at the opposite endsof the cavity 20 form bearing surfaces 54 and 54' in position to engagethe opposite ends of the medial portion 44 of the element IT in orderthus to limit the operating movement of said element in eitherdirection. The outwardly facing edges of the lateral arms 50 of thespring mounting element 31 are curved as at 55 to form normally inactivecams when the mechanism is at rest at the limit of its operatingmovement in either direction.

The toggle mechanism may be operated to throw the element I! from onerest position to the other and vice versa by moving the projectinghandle of the member l8. As said handle is moved from a position ofrest, as for instance the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, itsinitial movement on the pin 39 will draw the pin-mounted end of theelement 31 in a direction to bring the axis of the pin 42 into themedial plane of the element l1. During such movement the edge 55 of oneof the arms 50 will be brought into engagement with the bearing surfaces54 of the housing, and will tilt the element I! on the pivot 39 in adirection to disengage the element from said bearing surface and thus,in a sense, cock it for rapid shift movement. Eventually, as the resultof movement of the member [8, the parts of the toggle mechanism willassume a relative position as shown in Fig. 2. Further movement of themember 18 will result in passing the axis of the pin 42 through andbeyond the medial plane of. the element l1, and will result in theapplication of the thrust of the spring 36 upon the shoulder 46 in adirection to swing the element 1'! suddenly and sharply upon the pivot39 towards its other limit of movement. The toggle mechanism thus has asnap action to which the cooking action of the cams 55, and the curvedspring shoulder 43 contribute. This snap action in one direction isaccomplished while the actuating member I8 is in an intermediateposition substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, thecompleted movement being shown in Fig. 4. Figs. 5 and 6, respectively,illustrate the preliminary cooking of the shiftable element I1, and theconclusion of the snap action of said element while the operating memberI8 is in an intermediate position, in throwing the toggle mechanism fromthe rest position shown in Fig. 4 to the rest position shown in Fig. 1.

While the drawings show the toggle mechanism as applied in asingle-throw switch, that is to say a switch in which a circuit is madewhen the switch mechanism is in one rest position, and is broken whenthe switch is in its other rest position, it will be obvious that adouble-throw switch mechanism may be provided merely by duplicating thestationary contacts l5, and associated contact mounting structure atboth ends of the casing rather than only at one end as shown. By thusapplying a pair of contacts at each end of the cavity 20, the elementmay be made to close and open a pair of switches alternately when in itsrest positions. It will be obvious also that the novel features of thetoggle mechanism are not necessarily limited to incorporation thereof inelectric switches, but that the toggle mechanism may be employed toadvantage wherever the need arises. The toggle mechanism of the presentinvention is particularly suitable for application in electric switches,the mechanism being of unusually rugged construction, yet, withal,relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and is adapted to givetrouble-free service throu hout an extended service life of the switch.

When constituted as a switch the cover mounting screws 58 may beutilized to screw a mounting bracket 59 upon the casing by means ofwhich to attach the switch structure in any desired service position;and said bracket may be formed with screw-threaded openings 60 adaptedto receive fastening screws 6| therein by means of which to secure anescutcheon plate 62 of any usual or preferred configuration.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantageswill be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it isobvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages,the form herein disclosed being a preferred embodiment for the purposeof illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

In a device of the class described, a mounting base and movable toggleswitch means supported on the base, and comprising an operating membermounted for reversely pivotal movement on a tilting axis on said base, aswitch blade member mounted for tilting movement about said tiltingaxis, between angularly spaced rest positions on opposite sides of amedial plane through said 7 tilting axis and defined by engagement ofaxis remote portions of the blade member with stop shoulders formed onsaid base, a toggle member comprising a trident element having amounting end and three fingers integrally united at the mounting end ofsaid element and extending toward its other end, including an elongatedcentral finger and a pair of lateral fingers in spaced relation with andon opposite sides of said central finger, and forming a deep notchbetween the central finger and each of said lateral fingers,

said-notches having bottoms forming seats at the mounting end of thetrident element, said central finger having a sliding pivot connectionwith saidswitch blade member remote from said tilting axis, said tridentelement being pivotally connected at its mounting end on said operatingmember on a pivot axis adjacent said tilting axis, and a toggle springencircling said central finger and seating at its opposite endsrespectively on the bottoms of said notches and on said blade memberadjacent said sliding pivot connection, to afford snap toggle action ofthe blade member, between its rest positions, as said pivot axis ismoved by the operating member from one side to the other of said medialplane, said base forming a cam surface adjacent said stop shoulders,

8 and said lateral fingers being formed with curved cam means inposition to bear upon said cam surface remote from said pivot axisduring initial movement of said operating member, whereby initially toshift said blade member from a said rest position as said pivot axisapproaches said medial plane.

AXEL R. SCHOLIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 945,969 Marshall Jan. 11, 19101,257,925 Peterson Feb, 26, 1918 1 ,470,868 Newton 1 Oct. 16, 19231,474,013 Benjamin Nov. 13, 1923 1,946,192 Crabtree Feb. 6, 19342,148,408 Schellenger Feb. 21, 1939 2,313,291 Schellenger Mar. 9, 1943FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 452,151 Great Britain Aug. 14, 1936

